Proverbs 18

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.	1 Whoever lives alone fol ows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.
2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.	2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.
3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.	3 When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.	4 Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.
5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.	5 It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.
6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.	6 The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.
7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.	7 The mouth of the fool works its owner's ruin, the lips of a fool are a snare for their owner's life.
8 The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.	8 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.
9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.	9 Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.	10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.
11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.	11 The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wal , as the rich supposes.
12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.	12 The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.
13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.	13 To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.
14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?	14 Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?
15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.	15 The heart of the intel igent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.
16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.	16 A present will open al doors and win access to the great.
17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.	17 The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.
18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.
19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.	19 A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.	20 From the fruit of the mouth is a stomach fil ed, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.	21 Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.
22 He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.	23 The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.
24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.	24 There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.